Mark gives you barely a glance, and walks over, sits down again, and starts tinkering with a device on the desk.
That sense is still nagging you.
*Sighs louder*
"Ok I'm no genius, but I think trying to create another pocket universe in here distablized it, and it's not going to work by not working on it, the damage is done. I am going to go back to 5 minutes before I came here. I will talk with you, explain what will happen, and provide options to train without doing anything to the fabric of the universe."
*cuts back to 5 minutes before the other me would have come here*
"Ok Mark don't have much time, I am going to walk in here in about 4 minutes, ask you to create a pocket universe in this one to train. Under no circumstance are you to do so, the results will be bad. Give me options like the density box, maybe a device to boost training effectiveness, make it more efficent. I think this place isn't natural, and what we did, was bad. I will give you the signal that it's me when you see me again, I will say "Boy that was a bad idea", and you can fill me in on what happened."
*cuts back to a moment after I would have left the first time*
"Boy was that a bad idea Mark."
J
Before you leave, Mark tells you, "What, are you trying to destroy time as we know it? If you do what you propose, then you will come here, I will say no, you will not feel any sense of impending danger, and you will not go back in time to tell me to say no to you, so I will say yes."
*grumbles*
"I may not know theories as well as you do, but that is just *ONE* theory, another is every decision makes another timeline. So how do you propose to fix the situation, now that we likely know the catalyst? I will not let this universe unravel, if I have to go somewhere to become the foremost expert on everything, I will do so. I would prefer we stop and reverse what is happening before that becomes necessary."
J
He continues working, and for a moment, you aren't sure if he heard you. Then, he speaks.
"I think you should find Aegis and ask him."
*sighs*
"The castle no longer exists, I do not know where to find him."
J
Mark asks you, "How did you know where to find me?"
*grumbles*
"My patience for this crap is wearing thin."
*goes to the inbetween and comes out where I think Aegis is*
J
You ask Imidge where to cut to find Aegis, and he tells you.
You come out in a quiet bar; the barkeep is scrubbing the bar, and Aegis is dressed in street clothes, wearing a pair of spectacles, sitting at a table away from the bar, sipping a cup of coffee and looking at a newspaper. He appears to be the only patron here. There's a cup of coffee across from him that doesn't seem to have been touched, and the chair is pushed in.
*Looks at Aegis*
"Expecting me?"
Aegis answers you, "Please, sit; we have time yet for idle pleasantry. How was your wedding? I would have attended, but I knew I would be seeing you the day after anyway."
*sits down*
"The wedding was fine, I didn't have to dismember anyone, so it was a good day. So why don't you tell me what is going on?"
J
Aegis answers you, "Ever to the point. I do like that about you, Jhiaxus.
"Mark has an insatiable curiosity. Now that the idea is in his head, he will continue working on that device until it is complete. Unfortunately, as you suspect, he has made a fatal and basic flaw in the spatial differentializer. Much as a mathematician might accidently add two single digits together early in an equation and not realize the mistake until after the equation has been completed, thus dramatically altering the final solution, the spatial differentializer is a vital part of the device he is making, and the mistake will result in the destruction of the third dimension, thus this universe as we know. Your danger sense has recognized this fact looming. There is no way short of killing Mark that will prevent him from completing this device; even if you utterly destroy it, he will begin again. If you attack and try to kill Mark, or make an attempt to alter his mindstate, this world will be destroyed in the ensuing battle before either of you die.
"Your trip to the Between did not end the sense because you were still returning, and the sense was still of possible danger in your future.
"My honest suggestion is you take your family and flee this place."
*sighs*
"Unless people can fit in the bag of holding, I have no way of taking them away from here. The Inbetween is barred save anyone who is a part, and even taking them in an object is a risk. I also cannot leave all these innocent people to die, I can take some of the ones I know, but most of them, with the destruction of the universe, they aren't versers, they will cease to exist. So you are saying that even Mark knowing of his destruction cannot stop making the device? So basically he is willingly participating in genocide. I might have options to stop him that involve people more powerful than me. So was there a reason you didn't inform me of the option I was able to come up with myself?"
J
"Mark will continue working on the device blindly, heedless of claims that he will destroy the world; he can not help himself but to finish it. I have already informed you of the consequences to the option you presented; attempts to alter his mindstate through force or subterfuge will result in a battle that will destroy the world.
"The end of the world is inevitable. Those who are here may die, but their spirit and their memory will live on. In a sense, you will meet them again someday.
"Your infinite room pouch can store any item in any amount of any size. Any people you take, you will not be caught as long as you are careful about keeping them secret."
*sighs*
"Truth be told, the people in this world have been on a collusion course with destroying themselves for a long time. I could no more stop it, than I could contribute to it. Looks like I have some decisions on who to take with other than family. It's a short list, but one that needs to be done. Thanks, I know you are looking forward to the end right?"
*head to David's*
*pull David aside*
"Events have been put into motion that none of us can stop that will spell the end of this universe. Your job is to gather the people here that you feel have worked toward making this a better place, meet at the place where we are staying with grandfather, to be safe you have 7 days. Tell them to bring clothing, food and water, and to tell no one else. I have to break the news to my own and get the people they consider the same. I have a way to get people where they need to go safely, as long as people don't act abnormal."
*Will go back home*
"Tan, Val, this is the end, I need a list of people that are to be saved from this universe. People that have tried to help, and worked toward the greater good. Events have been put into motion that no one can stop. I know you have family Tan, and friends and former friends, so use your best judgement. Tell them to bring food, water and clothing.
*To Caity and the kids*
"Same thing to you guys, get your stuff ready, someone with good intentions can't stop themselves, and will end this place. Pack your things like we are going on a trip, I promise we will come to a place with people who are more reasonable, but still exciting."
*My plan is Naruto one year after the Nine Tails attacked Leaf Village*
J
Aegis answers you, "You're starting to sound a little bit like me.
"Before you go, I should tell you; there is a rock here called Demon Rock. It is where I gained immortality and omniscience. The rock will imbue its power on you in exhange for something it feels relevant. If you choose to visit this rock, you may find power the likes of which exists only ever in mortal dreams; however, with such power, comes a price. It is up to you to decide whether the price is too great. It is three hours due west of Draconian Spire."
§
David assures you, "I'll be fine, Jhiaxus. Do you really think I'd let something as small as the end of the world stop me?"
§
Tan says to you, "They can take care of themselves, and if they can't, good riddance."
Val glances at her in distaste, then looks to you. "Jewly, Eri, and Nic all are coming. Beyond that, I don't really have anything to add from this world. Maybe your friend Jef."
Tan shakes her head, and responds, "Best to leave Jef out of this. He'll just say that even if it destroys the world, and us, we have to try because we're the only ones who can, no matter the adversary."
*Grins*
"What power could I possibly want that time and dedication will not grant me. It is a good thing it will be destroyed, the offer did not tempt me in the least."
=========
Doing the above.
J
((done, edited))
*To Tan*
"I already covered that, sure we can fight, and then the whole world fights and dies anyway. You can act tough, but Val and I know you love them. Unless Tan has a change of heart, looks like it is just us."
*To Val*
"Everyone will need to enter the pouch that isn't a verser and you as well. Next world we will die from and let the scriff verse us out, but even if this universe goes, we can't depend on that here."
*To Everyone*
"We should say our goodbyes then, maybe Tan will feel differently seeing them, but at least we owe them that."
J
Aegis tells you, "It's worth checking out, at any rate. The rock will let you choose three things, and give you three detriments, and offer its power. If you don't accept, it won't do anything."
§
Tan responds, "Goodbyes, yeah. But let's avoid Jef; like I said, if he gets a whiff of what's going on, we'll have a problem."
Val says, "Well, we don't have to lie to anyone. We want to go and explore another place."
Tan says, "Jef reads minds of like everyone."
Val nods.
The kids are getting packed.
*Nods to Aegis*
"We will check it out."
=====================
*To Wives*
"We can leave him a note, have it delivered after we go, he can find us in the future, he has the power. Either way, we have a trip, lets get grandfather to watch the kids for a few hours, we have a rock to see. It might be worth it, might not, either way, it's our last chance to visit it, and Aegis says listening doesn't mean acceptance."
J
Henry is more than willing to watch the kids. He empties the room, and asks, "Who wants to color?" Eria obviously is quite excited.
§
Your journey to Demon Rock is very quick on zippers; you use them to travel to the peak, where there's a rock that looks a little bit like a face howling in pain.
A man sits utop the rock, black hair, black clothing held together wish several sashes, a very old looking form of dressing. He looks at the three of you with red eyes, and asks, "You seek power?"
*shrugs*
"I was told by a friend to see the rock, hear it out, and decide. I keep my options open. I brought my wives since I hide nothing from them, they might have things they want. I am a naturally curious person."
J
He is watching you, all three of you. His voice is as smooth as velvet, a soft tenor. He disappears, and appears at the foot of the rock. "What power do you seek?"
"So three powers, one detriment to each, are we allowed to accept 2 with the detriments associated, and reject one? Either way I will ask for three, and see what detriments come up."
*considers*
"I came here because I am curious, I will let my wives choose what they want, and what detriments you propose."
J
Bump
Bump
Page 30. Excited?
"You may choose up to three, but there is no reason you cannot choose one."
Valera seems to snap out of thought. "I want to be able to heal sickness by touching people."
The demon (for he clearly is one) responds, "Every time you use this power, the sickness will be transferred to another of your choosing. Do you accept?"
Valera answers, "No." Then, to you, quietly, "This is going to be pretty tough, huh?"
*smiles wide*
"It will be tough, but Aegis sent me here for a reason, he knows me by now. I told him as much that I can learn to do anything this demon would grant us. I don't think he meant for any of us to choose any powers, the demon seems to be keeping between us and the rock."
J
Tan says to it, "I want to be the fastest being in existence."
It responds, "In exchange, you will always be hungry, and will have a very frail appearance. Do you accept?"
Tan answers, "No."
It says, "I haven't got neverending eternity here, you know. I'd appreciate it if you considered the ramifications and how badly you want the power strongly before asking."
Tan asks you quietly, "What do you want to do?"
*smiles wider*
"I suppose he means the greater the power, the greater the detriment. Ok I'll play, I want the ability to shatter any rock, one time only no questions asked."
J
"In exchange, all people you purposefully or inadvertantly kill will haunt you in spirit for eternity, regardless whether the ability was used to kill them or not. Do you accept?"
§
Any rock could mean the entire planet you're standing on, after all.
"You misunderstood my intention of scope I will be more specific how about using that rocks dimensions as scope."
*points at Devil's Rock*
J
The demon says, "Well, what an interesting ability you've chosen. In that case, lesser earth spirits, including but not limited to earthen golems, will consider you their mortal enemies."
*I want to read it's mind when I point to Demon's Rock*
J
Let me know your bra and abl for psi as well as your sal for read alien minds.
*BRA is 3@10 Intuition, Psi Bias is 13@10, I have a 3@1 Read Minds P1@1, since I learned it from an alien from a program, I wasn't aware there was a difference, there is differences in telepathy, I have humans, humanoids and aliens, so I think if they were separate, it would have been listed like the rest*
J
The program would have taught you to a 3@1 level, I concur.
31 26 40= 97
52
§
He's thinking that being able to completely shatter rocks only that size and no larger is not the most powerful thing anyone has ever asked for, but still a potent skill.